Adam & Eats: Pho Real Asian Restaurant

This week, we delve back into the world of Asian cuisine. This time our adventure is to a brand spankin’ new joint over in the Quarry Shopping Center. We also will visit upon the most ancient of Asian practices: the play on words.

Located at the entrance to the strip mall that houses the Walmart* Neighborhood Market, in what was until recently a Quizno’s, is the new home of Pho Real Asian Restaurant. None of that fake Asian food served there. Fo’ real. See what they did there?

That’s almost as clever as their neighbor around the way, Pho King. All of these places remind me of my idea for a surf shop/Chinese take-out place that I want to open one day. It’ll be called “Wok, Don’t Run”. (Don’t get the joke? Click here.)

Ahem, moving on.

The interior of the place is really nice. Way better than when it was a Quizno’s. It’s got this tranquil atmosphere that somehow manages not to be too quiet, yet just quiet enough. Perhaps, it’s the waterfall that really seals the deal on the whole Zen eating environment. Who can say for certain?

Relatively quick and friendly service adds to the feeling of relaxing pleasure as you dine here. As far as creature comforts go, the only thing that distracts from desiring a nap is the seating, which is your standard metal with black cushion chairs with simple restaurant table. Nothing too fancy, or comfortable, either. Perhaps this was planned. They want you to feel comfortable, but not too comfortable.

Now the food is Asian for certain, but it’s not too real to give you hesitation about eating there. There’s not boiled toad or fried scorpions on the menu. What you get is classic Vietnamese and Thai cuisine with a little Lo Mein and fried rice thrown in for the less adventurous. I’m a big fan of the “vegetables” section of the menu, especially the first three items: chicken, beef, and shrimp. I don’t know about you, but those three are some of my favorite vegetables.

Of all of the vegetables that I’ve tried at Pho Real Asian, I recommend the beef and broccoli. These tender strips of beef are served in sauce with broccoli, of course, carrots, bamboo shoots, onions, and water chestnuts. This mountain of “vegetables” and veggies comes with a heaping pile of steamed white rice. It’s enough food to put you in the nap locker for sure.

Another of my favorites is the shrimp Thai Panang curry. This subtly spicy combo of coconut milk curry and shrimp comes piled high atop grilled onions, carrots, broccoli, and celery and is just begging to be dumped onto your mound of white rice. Delicious!

Now, I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about the namesake pho. I recommend the Pho-Real Asian which is the combination of eye round steak (you know you read it the way I did), flank brisket, tendon, and meat balls all served in a fish based broth. The meat balls are actually more like chunks of dense sausage than the Italian style meatballs that pop into your head when you hear the word meatball.

This soup is fantastic. Dump a few jalapenos, some herbs and mint, some beans sprouts, a touch of garlic and chile paste, a squeeze of hoisin, and you’re on your way to soupy heaven. Be sure to slurp loudly to let the cooks know you are enjoying it.

If you haven’t checked out the food at Pho Real Asian yet, be sure to give them a go. I think you’ll be pleased. Fo’ real. I couldn’t resist.

Until next week, good eating to you and yours.